WilliamA. "Bill" Struck

William "Bill" Anthony Struck, Ph.D., age, 93, a Kalamazoo resident of 74 years, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2014, in Grand Haven, MI. Bill was born March 17, 1920 in Prospect Park, NJ to Ira and Wilhelmina (Minnie) (Zeeuw) Struck. Bill came to Michigan to attend Calvin College where he earned his B.A. degree in Philosophy and Chemistry. Upon graduation in 1940, he moved to Kalamazoo when he obtained a position with the Upjohn Co. Not long thereafter, Bill married his wife of 71 years, Esther G. Daverman, who survives. Bill's career spanned 44 years at Upjohn including taking time to earn his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Michigan. While at Upjohn, he held a number of positions, beginning in research, moving into management, and retiring as vice-president of international research and development in 1984. A source of professional pride to Bill was his work on a project during the WWII years under the auspices of the U.S. Office of Research and Development which led to the determination of the chemical structure of what became the "wonder drug" of the 20th century, penicillin. He was also a winner of the W.E. Upjohn award. Bill was an active member of Second Reformed Church, Kalamazoo, serving on the consistory and singing in the choir. In his retirement, Bill served as the church's director of adult education. He was also a board member of Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity for many years. Bill had a life-long interest in music, singing in both the Kalamazoo Male Chorus and the Bach Festival Chorus. He also served on the Kalamazoo Symphony board of directors. Bill and Esther were long-time symphony enthusiasts and never missed monthly concerts. Bill will be remembered for his love of reading, the New York Times crossword puzzle, conversations over a glass of wine, and time spent with family and friends at the Struck's summer cottage. In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by son, Stephen (Susan) Struck, Grand Haven, MI; daughters, Nancy Struck, Portage, MI; and Barbara (Jay) Rothmeier; Edina, MN; five grandchildren: Emily Struck (Patrick Dillon), Rockville, MD; Andrew (Ellen) Struck, Austin, TX; Samuel Watt, Portage, MI; Peter Rothmeier, Edina, MN; and Angela Rothmeier, Edina, MN; and three great grandchildren, Sophie, Carson and Cecilia Struck, all of Austin, TX. He was preceded in death by his brother, Frank Struck. A memorial service to be held in Kalamazoo will be announced. Memorial contributions can be made in Bill's name to Kalamazoo Habitat for Humanity and the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. Please visitwww.klaassenfuneralhome.com for more information.

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